Category Archives: Supervised Apartment Living

More than a roof over their heads…
a ray of hope.

Supervised Apartment Living

Our Supervised Apartment Living (SAL) Program is funded by the Iowa Department of Human Services and is designed for homeless 17 year-olds who have not completed their high school diploma or GED. The program allows participants to live independently and includes life skills education,

monitoring and support. Service plans are developed to empower them to achieve their educational and personal goals with the collaboration of the participant, their family, and DHS/JCS worker.

Success Story “Sasha”: From Emergency Shelter to Supervised Apartment Living to College and on Her Own
Sasha was twelve years old when she was first admitted to the Crittenton Youth Shelter. She was brought to shelter when it was discovered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) that Sasha had been taking care of her four younger siblings while her mother was experimenting with illegal drugs in their presence.

Sasha was sent to several different foster homes where she lasted 6 months, or so, before returning to the Crittenton Shelter. Soon, the Crittenton Shelter and her DHS worker were the only constants in her life. Sasha had a total of 12 stays at the shelter before “aging out” of the system when she turned 18. At which time, she moved to Ohio with her family.

Sasha’s life started out rough with negativity all around, but as she matured it was discovered that she had learned the difference between right and wrong. While in Ohio, Sasha realized her family had not changed; they were still involved in drugs and now with prostitution. She begged to come back to the Crittenton Center.

Through Crittenton Center’s Supervised Apartment Living (SAL) Program, Sasha was able to return to Iowa and start a healthy life on her own. With the help of her SAL worker, Sasha got her own apartment and graduated from North High at the age of 19. The Crittenton Center hosted her graduation party. Sasha then had to be discharged from SAL due to completing High School, but not before signing up for WIT classes. By this time, Sasha was well-prepared to venture out on her own having been taught during SAL how to be successful on her own.